Fifth-grader Kathleen White thinks the planned mural on the outside of Westridge Elementary school "will make our school seem more open to kids." But, it took a vote by the mayor of Ballwin before the planned painting could continue.

Kathleen White's mural design

Westridge Elementary is in west St. Louis County. It's a low, one-story school with plain white panels all long the front of the building. The teachers and kids thought the panels needed to be more colorful and visually inviting.

But, the student-inspired mural plan ran into trouble with Ballwin's Board of Aldermen. The city's sign ordinance is strict on what type of signs are allowed on outside walls.

Ty Stahl's mural design

School officials asked for an ordinance amendment to exempt "works of art" on the outside of the Westridge building. On a first vote, the Board of Aldermen deadlocked, 4-4, and the modification wasn't approved.

The Westridge kids were sad. They already had drawn up ideas on what they wanted included in the outside mural. Those drawings were sent to the professional mural painters for inclusion in the final design.

Elizabeth Doing and Tyler Fishback

This isn't the first time the school has used student artwork to liven up their building. In 1994, art teacher Carol Mobley had kids create a series of clay plaques. These were grouped together into an interior mural just inside the school's main entrance.

Decoration inside the building was the school's business. But, what goes on the outside comes under the city's sign ordinance.

Elizabeth Doing's mural design

Then, early this year, Mayor Robert Jones Jr. cast a tie-breaking vote in favor of the sign ordinance mendment. The outside mural got approved on a 5-4 vote.

Ten-year-old Kathleen had submitted a detailed, multi-colored drawing of what she wanted in the mural. "I drew about everything we do during the day in school," she said.

Many other kids were more specific. Some focused on special classes they enjoyed.

Tyler Fishback's mural design

Ten-year-old Tyler Fishback's drawing featured school's special chorus. He's a chorus member. The 5th grader said, "Maybe next year, it would help to get more kids involved."

Second-grader Rachel Martin's picture was of the school's music room, her favorite.

Rachel Martin and Damon Washington

But, 10-year-old Damon Washington's drawing was of the math room. The 5th grader said, Math is like a lifelong problem."

Ten-year-old Elizabeth Doing drew a picture showing a lot of people explaining things to each other. The 5th grader said, "That's what you do in school. Our school has a program where the older kids help younger ones."

Rachel Martin's mural design

Fifth grader Chris Manott drew a picture of the front of the school with a big, bright rainbow over the top. He thought the multi-colored mural might make the school a better place. "People might get along better," he said.

Nine-year-old Michaela Quist's painting was all about art. The 3rd grader said art was her favorite ubject. "I love to paint and color," she said.

Damon Washington's mural design

Michaela said she does a lot of artwork at home. "And the real special ones are framed and hung in the living room," she said.

Chris said his best artwork is pinned to the playroom door at home. "I think this drawing I did for the mural was the best I've done," he said.

Damon Washington said most of his best artwork at home are drawings about sports.

Michaela Quist and Chris Manott

Ten-year-old Ty Stahl said his mother frames his best art and puts it in his baby sister's room. "The artwork matches the colors in the baby's room," he said.

But, he added, he didn't think his sister, Mia, plays much attention to the artwork. "She's just learning to walk," he said.

The professional painters are putting the kids' ideas into an overall design. Then, the Westridge kids get another big chance to help.

Michaela Quist's mural design

The 5th graders, along with some younger students, will help do the painting of the mural on the outside of the building.

Ty Stahl said he thinks the mural will make the school much better. "And it will help make the memories of the school better when kids grow up," he said.

Chris Manott's mural design

Elizabeth Doing said, "Kids leave their mark on the school. It will be there forever."

Tyler Fishback said, "When I get older, I can come back and see what I've done."

Rachel Martin said, "When new kids come, they'll think the school is cool."

Westridge principal Meg Brooks said she expects the mural to be completed before the end of the school year." YSL.com plans to cover the unveiling of the new mural.

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